On August 25, 1991, a Cessna 152 (registration N320SV) operated by John M. Wells was involved in an aviation accident near Avalon, CA. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND SUBSEQUENT DITCHING WHILE FLYING OVER THE OCEAN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Cessna 152 pilot ditched in the ocean after a loss of engine power at 2,500 feet while en route to Avalon, California. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Accident Summary
A Cessna 152 experienced a loss of engine power at 2,500 feet MSL while traveling to Avalon, California. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane in the ocean. The aircraft sank in deep water and could not be recovered.
Attempted Restart
The pilot reported that efforts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The exact cause of the power loss was not determined as the airplane was not recovered.
Fueling History
The airplane had been refueled with 10 gallons of aviation fuel approximately two weeks prior to the accident. It had been airborne for about 15 minutes at the time of the engine power loss.
What happened in the 25 Aug 1991 Cessna 152 accident near Avalon, CA?
A Cessna 152 pilot ditched in the ocean after a loss of engine power at 2,500 feet while en route to Avalon, California. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Were there any fatalities in the 25 Aug 1991 Cessna 152 accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 25 Aug 1991 involved a Cessna 152, registration N320SV, operated by John M. Wells, at Avalon, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND SUBSEQUENT DITCHING WHILE FLYING OVER THE OCEAN.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…